Training Cartridge, Gun Barrel Insert &amp; Assembly

ABSTRACT

A training cartridge ( 5 ) and gun barrel insert ( 1 ) assembly, wherein: a) the training cartridge ( 5 ) comprises a sleeve ( 17 ) shaped and configured to fit the breech of a gun and which holds a primer ( 21 ) and bullet ( 20 ) assembly; the assembly being located at the rear portion of the cartridge ( 5 ); a channel ( 22 ) extending forward from the bullet ( 20 ) and a recessed front channel portion ( 4 ) for receiving the sub-calibre barrel portion ( 3 ) of a corresponding gun barrel insert ( 1 ); and b) the corresponding gun barrel insert ( 1 ) comprises a sleeve ( 2 ) shaped and configured to fit at least in part into the barrel ( 10 ) of a gun; the sleeve ( 2 ) being located around a sub-calibre barrel ( 3 ); wherein the sub-calibre barrel ( 3 ) extends rearward beyond the sleeve ( 2 ) in order to project into the recessed front channel portion ( 4 ) of the corresponding training cartridge ( 5 ) .

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to training cartridges, gun barrel inserts and assemblies of training cartridges and gun barrel inserts.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A wide variety of training cartridges and gun conversions exists. Some of which may be found in the following prior published patent documents: GB2353584A, WO00/16032, WO03/102492A1, WO03/033987A1, EP1255961B1, WO00/25084, WO00/45121 and WO01/16550A1.

One of the objects of the present invention is to prevent the chambering of live shotgun cartridges in training converted shotguns; to improve safety; and provide a cartridge which will feed from all types of shotgun magazines. Another objective of the invention is to also achieve high levels of accuracy whilst achieving the improvements mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first broad independent aspect, the invention provides a training cartridge and gun barrel insert assembly, wherein:

a) said training cartridge comprises a sleeve-shaped and configured to fit the breech of a gun which holds a primer and bullet assembly; said assembly being located at the rear portion of the cartridge; a channel extending forward from said bullet and a recessed front channel portion for receiving the sub-calibre barrel portion of a corresponding gun barrel insert; and

b) said corresponding gun barrel insert comprises a sleeve-shaped and configured to fit at least in part into the barrel of a gun; the sleeve being located around a sub-calibre barrel; wherein the sub-calibre barrel extends rearward beyond the sleeve in order to project into said recessed front channel portion of said corresponding training cartridge.

This configuration is particularly advantageous because it minimises or does away entirely with the risk of chambering live shotguns into a gun conversion. It is also particularly beneficial because it allows the cartridge to feed from all types of shotgun magazines. It would also allow excellent accuracy to be achieved at levels essential for training as well as being safe for man on man training to take place.

In a subsidiary aspect in accordance with the invention's first broad independent aspect, the cartridge sleeve has an outer portion of plastics material and an inner portion of metallic material holding the primer and bullet.

One of the advantages of this configuration is that it allows the metal insert holding the primer and the bullet to be replaced to allow cartridges to be reloaded.

In a further subsidiary aspect, both sleeves have outer portions of plastics material and incorporate inner portions of metallic material. This configuration also is particularly advantageous because it allows the sleeves to be accurately formed to match the breech of a gun whilst retaining the accuracy supplied by a metallic sub-calibre barrel. Because the sleeves are of plastic material, these can also be readily coloured for additional visual safety.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the sub-calibre barrel extends rearward by a minimum of 10 mm, this will avoid unsafe loading and/or detonation occurring.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the sub-calibre barrel extends rearward by approximately 20 mm. The safety achieved at this length of sub-calibre barrel extending rearwards allows an even further improved safety level to be achieved.

In a second broad independent aspect, the invention provides a training cartridge comprising a sleeve-shaped and configured to fit the breech of a gun and which holds a primer and bullet assembly; assembly being located at the rear portion of the cartridge; a channel extending forward from said bullet and a recessed front channel portion for receiving, in use, a corresponding sub-calibre barrel portion of a gun barrel insert.

This configuration of training cartridge will achieve, in use, the advantages discussed above with reference to the training cartridge and gun barrel insert assembly. In summary, it will avoid live cartridges being inserted into a training barrel with a corresponding sub-calibre barrel portion. It will allow safe detonation and will readily be loaded through conventional shotgun magazines.

In a third broad independent aspect, the invention provides a gun barrel insert comprising a sleeve-shaped and configured to fit, at least in part, into the barrel of a gun; the sleeve being located around a sub-calibre barrel; wherein the sub-calibre barrel extends rearward beyond the sleeve in order to project, in use, into a recessed front channel portion of a corresponding training cartridge.

As discussed above, such a gun barrel insert used in combination with a corresponding training cartridge, will improve the safety of the operation of a typical shotgun, will achieve the accuracy necessary for training, particularly in man on man training situations as well as being particularly adaptable for fitting into gun barrels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a gun barrel insert.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a training cartridge.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a breech body.

FIG. 4 shows the assembly of a gun barrel insert located in the breech body of a gun.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a training cartridge and gun barrel insert assembly located in the breech of a gun.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a gun barrel insert generally referenced 1 with a sleeve 2 shaped and configured to fit at least in part to the barrel of a gun such as that shown on FIG. 3. In this configuration the sleeve is located around a sub-calibre barrel 3 which extends rearward beyond the sleeve in order to project, when operating in conjunction with a training cartridge 5, into a recessed front channel portion 4 of the training cartridge. The front of the insert 1 comprises an annular recess 6 which accommodates a rubber seal ring 7. The insert comprises a first diameter 8 which will correspond to diameter 9 of the barrel 10 shown on FIG. 3. The insert sleeve then incorporates a tapered section 11 corresponding to tapered section 12 of barrel 10. The sleeve then incorporates a diameter 13 at its rear most portion corresponding to the diameter 14 of the breech.

The sleeve 2 will preferably be constructed from plastics material whilst the sub-calibre barrel 3 will be constructed from metallic material such as steel. The sub-calibre barrel portion incorporates a bore 14 extending lengthways through the portion. The portion of the sleeve which does not cover the sub-calibre portion also incorporates a bore 15 allowing the passage of a bullet through the insert. The sub-calibre barrel portion of a metallic material extends over approximately less than half the length of the sleeve 2 and protrudes by approximately 20 mm in the rear portion of the insert.

FIG. 2 shows a training cartridge 5 with a sleeve 17 shaped and configured to fit the breech of a gun. In its rear most extremity, sleeve 17 holds a primer and bullet assembly 18 formed with an outer sleeve 19 for holding both the bullet 20 and the primer 21. Following detonation, the bullet will exit the training cartridge through a bore 22 forming a channel. Recess 4 will accommodate the sub-calibre barrel portion which protrudes from the sleeve. Recess 4 tapers inwardly and gradually converges towards the diameter of bore 22. The recess incorporates a flange 23 against which the rear most extremity 24 of the gun barrel insert 1 will abut when the sub-calibre barrel portion is inserted into recess 4.

Sleeve 17, in a similar fashion to sleeve 2 of FIG. 1, is preferably of plastics material in order to allow bullet and primer assembly 18 to be changed after use.

The diameter of sleeve 17 is chosen to closely match the diameter 14 of the breech. A flange 25 allows the cartridge to abut against the breech in a conventional fashion.

FIG. 4 shows gun barrel insert 1 snugly located into the breech/barrel of a gun.

Once the gun barrel insert is located as in FIG. 4 it may then receive a training cartridge 5 which will form the assembly as shown in FIG. 5. 

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A training cartridge and gun barrel insert assembly, wherein: a) said training cartridge comprises a sleeve shaped and configured to fit the breech of a gun and which holds a primer and bullet assembly; said assembly being located at the rear portion of the cartridge; a channel extending forward from said bullet and a recessed front channel portion for receiving the sub-calibre barrel portion of a corresponding gun barrel insert; and b) said corresponding gun barrel insert comprises a sleeve shaped and configured to fit at least in part into the barrel of a gun; the sleeve being located around a sub-calibre barrel; wherein the sub-calibre barrel extends rearward beyond the sleeve in order to project into said recessed front channel portion of said corresponding training cartridge.
 22. An assembly according to claim 21, wherein the cartridge sleeve has an outer portion of plastics material and an inner portion of metallic material holding the primer and bullet.
 23. An assembly according to claim 21, wherein both sleeves have outer portions of plastics material and incorporate inner portions of metallic material.
 24. An assembly according to claim 21, wherein the sub-calibre barrel extends rearward by a minimum of 10 mm.
 25. An assembly according to claim 24, wherein the sub-calibre barrel extends rearward by approximately 20 mm.
 26. A training cartridge comprising a sleeve shaped and configured to fit the breech of a gun and which holds a primer and bullet assembly; said assembly being located at the rear portion of the cartridge; a channel extending forward from said bullet and a recessed front channel portion for receiving, in use, a corresponding sub-calibre barrel portion of a gun barrel insert.
 27. A gun barrel insert comprising a sleeve shaped and configured to fit at least in part into the barrel of a gun; the sleeve being located around a sub-calibre barrel; wherein the sub-calibre barrel extends rearward beyond the sleeve in order to project, in use, into a recessed front channel portion of a corresponding training cartridge. 